THRILL-seeking tourists are being warned to avoid the seven sins of animal cruelty when they head for this sun this holiday.

Sparing elephants the misery of being “broken” so they can give rides and not cuddling big cats that have been sedated for selfies are two of the many tourist attractions to ignore, say animal welfare campaigners.

Other popular holiday encounters to blacklist are cruel camel, horse and donkey rides, running with bulls and swimming with dolphins.

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Ethical holidaymakers should also turn their backs on posing for pictures with baby chimps and monkeys as well as never bringing home wildlife souvenirs made from coral, ivory, tortoiseshell or animal skins.

The RSPCA today warns of the seven holiday encounters British tourists should avoid after revealing it has received hundreds of complaints from travellers who have witnessed animals being exploited.

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The blacklist included riding elephants and cuddling big cats that have been sedated

If there is a demand for activities like these and money to be made then cruel practices will continue

Paul Littlefair

It also says that students on gap years, honeymooners, adventurers and tourists heading to off-the-beaten-track destinations can make a significant difference for animals all over the world by supporting local animal charities and volunteering to take part in conservation work.

The Seven Animal Cruelty Sins to avoid, says the charity, are:

• Don’t have a selfie with a monkey. While the baby chimps and monkeys being offered as photographic props look cute, they are usually snatched from the wild and their parents may have even been killed so they could be stolen.

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Other attractions to avoid was swimming with dolphins

• Don’t take an elephant ride. The charity warns that elephants can be illegally captured for sale to the tourist industry, with babies often beaten until they become compliant.

The charity said: “Breaking techniques see them chained and tortured until their spirit is broken.

"When riding, bullhooks are often used to keep them in check which can also cause severe suffering.”

• Don’t cuddle a big cat. The reason why lions and tigers will pose for selfies will usually mean it is because they have been sedated with drugs to make them easier to handle, says the RSPCA.

Snakes, chimps and monkeys used for props could also have been left out in the sun all day without food or water.

• Don’t get on a donkey or camel if you suspect cruelty. Beasts of burden used for rides may have been working long hours without food or water.

• Don’t catch a wave with a dolphin. The charity warns marine mammal facilities where dolphins are kept captive often use animals taken from the wild.

It also says they may have restrictive space and find swimming with people all day stressful.

• Don’t run with the bulls. Spain, Portugal, Mexico and France all stage festivals where visitors can run with bulls.

The RSPCA said: “Stay away from bullfighting at all costs. This is big business in Spain and elsewhere, and the money from tourists helps this cruelty to continue.”

• Don’t buy a wildlife souvenir. If you suspect that a memento might be real, it probably is, warns the charity.

Snake and scorpion wine may well be made from wild animals drowned in alchohol, while it is illegal to import wildlife products such as ivory, animals skins and coral without a permit.

The charity said: “Save yourself some money and ditch the cruel souvenirs altogether."

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The charity also advised against riding camels or donkeys if you suspect cruelty

While avoiding anything that perpetuates cruelty, tourists can play a major role in advancing animal welfare overseas by supporting ethical wildlife tours, volunteering to take part in conservation projects, making donations to local charities and speaking out if any cruelty is witnessed.

Paul Littlefair, head of the international department at the RSPCA, said: “Riding an elephant, swimming with dolphins, cuddling a tiger cub, or taking a picture with a monkey may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime experience but all of these can have very serious animal welfare and safety risks for tourists.

“We work in many countries throughout the world to prevent animal cruelty and tourism can also play a big part in tackling this.

“If there is a demand for activities like these and money to be made then cruel practices will continue.

“It’s important to research the activities you are taking part in first and if you are in any doubt, look for ethical alternatives.”